Income Eligibility
Eligibility for health safety net services is typically tied to a household's income and the number of individuals in that household. The income levels listed below are the poverty guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and are widely referred to as the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). These income levels are updated each year in late January.
Many, but not all, health safety net services require a household income that is at or below a set percent of the FPL. That percent varies by the service provided and by the entity providing it. For example, some Virginia free clinics accept patients whose household income is at or less than 200% of the FPL, while others limit income eligibility to 100%, 125% or 150%. Virginia Community Health Centers offer services on a sliding fee scale. And prescription medication assistance may be available to those with up to 300% of the FPL.
It is important to check with the safety net provider or service to determine whether a certain percentage of FPL is required for eligibility.
("Federal Poverty Level")
Household Members Household Income
(100% of FPL) 125% 150% 200% 250% 300%
1 |
$10,400 |
$13,000 |
$15,600 |
$20,800 |
$26,000 |
$31,200 |
2 |
$14,000 |
$17,500 |
$21,000 |
$28,000 |
$35,000 |
$42,000 |
3 |
$17,600 |
$22,000 |
$26,400 |
$35,200 |
$44,000 |
$52,800 |
4 |
$21,200 |
$26,500 |
$31,800 |
$42,400 |
$53,000 |
$63,600 |
5 |
$24,800 |
$31,000 |
$37,200 |
$49,600 |
$62,000 |
$74,400 |
6 |
$28,400 |
$35,500 |
$42,600 |
$56,800 |
$71,000 |
$85,200 |
7 |
$32,000 |
$40,000 |
$48,000 |
$64,000 |
$80,000 |
$96,000 |
8 |
$35,600 |
$44,500 |
$53,400 |
$71,200 |
$89,000 |
$106,800 |
For each additional
person, add:
|
$ 3,600 |
$5,400 |
$5,400 |
$7,200 |
$9,000 |
$10,800 |
Figuring out the percentages
Qualifying for a program that limits services to 100% of the FPL or below means that only those whose total household incomes were at or less than the level listed for their household size would be eligible for care.
Before tax or after tax?
Usually, the household income is determined by gross income (before tax income), although it is important to check with the service or provider.
For more information on poverty guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services web page on poverty levels.
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